Opening system for a container, a method of making the same and a container comprising the opening system

ABSTRACT

An opening system for a container may be provided. The opening system may include a packaging material having an outside and an inside. The opening system may additionally include an injection molded opening element, wherein the injection molded opening element may be attached to the inside of the packaging material at a first point, and may extend from the inside of the packaging material and through to the outside of the packaging material. The injection molded opening element may be attached to the outside of the packaging material at a second point and may extend a distance from the second point for opening the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of opening systems.More particularly, the present invention relates to an opening systemfor containers having food products therein.

BACKGROUND

Today there are several opening systems used for a variety of containersdepending on the container and how it is made e.g. plastic, glass,packaging material and so. Based on the material used for the containerdifferent opening system having different configurations is then used.Normal issues with opening systems or devices are that they need to befixed to the container to prevent leakage but at the same time be easyto open, but not by accident. This has been solved in different ways bye.g. the caps with internal breaking of a membrane or the like toprevent leakage and prevent accidental opening. However, known solutionsof today are leakage tight but most of the time requires a great forceto open. This is a problem for some people with for instance an injuryto any motor skills which makes it hard for them to open containers orelderly people having a lowered muscular capability. Also, smallpackages need to have small opening devices and these could be an issuefor children e.g. swallowing them.

Thus, there is a need for an improved opening system which seals butalso is easy to open.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome oralleviate the above described problems.

According to a first aspect, an opening system for a containercomprising a packaging material having an outside and an inside, aninjection molded opening element, wherein the injection molded openingelement is attached to the inside of the packaging material at a firstpoint, and extends from the inside of the packaging material and throughto the outside of the packaging material. And, wherein the injectionmolded opening element is attached to the outside of the packagingmaterial at a second point and extends a distance from the second pointfor opening the container.

According to a second aspect, a method of producing an opening systemfor a container comprises providing a packaging material having aninside and an outside. The method further comprises molding an injectionmolded opening element being arranged on the inside of the packagingmaterial and on the outside, and extending through packaging material.And, attaching the molded opening element to the inside at a firstpoint, and attaching the molded opening element to the outside at asecond point.

Further examples of the disclosure are defined in the dependent claims,wherein features for the fourth and subsequent aspects of the disclosureare as for the first to third aspects mutatis mutandis.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a more robust opening systemagainst any faulty opening.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for any force acting on anopening element will be transferred into a packaging material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an area of an openingelement which is attached to a second point is chosen according to anopening force wanted and/or needed to open an opening system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a distribution on an outsideof a packaging material and attached to it, determining the force neededto tear open an opening system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening force along asame line.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a straight line coincidingwith a weakest point(s) of a material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a first and second pointbeing arranged at e.g. 45, 90, 135 or 180 degree difference.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening system to createforces in a desired direction.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a direction not coincidingwith the weakest point(s) of a material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a selection of an angle suchthat a desired opening force is achieved based on the combination of theangle and a structure of the selected packaging material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a single opening system ondifferent materials.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for achieving a same openingforce by simply angling the opening system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for hydrostatic pressureinjection molding.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening system beingrecyclable.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a mechanically weakerpackaging material than that of the opening system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening element beingcapable of tearing, shearing, breaking or otherwise open a packagingmaterial.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a delta in mechanicalstrength between a packing material and a material used for an openingsystem.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a laminate as being a sealfor any product inside a container.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an easier opening of theopening system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a simpler injection moldingprocess.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for less potential issues suchas any packaging material being mixed into an opening element.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an even more affixed openingelement to a packaging material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening element can evenbetter withstand any forces.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening elementcomprising a protrusion.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening element moreeasily penetrating through a packaging material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening elementconfigured to give a cleaner cut or tear.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a force from an openingelement will be initially localized to a protrusion at the openingelement.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for initial penetration allalong a circumference of an opening element.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening support acting asa counter force to an opening element.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening support aiding inany tearing of a packaging material.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a cleaner visual appearanceof an opening.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an improved connectionbetween an opening element and an opening support.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for further strengthening anopening system and its robustness.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a breakable connection whichis also a tamper evidence.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a tamper evidence.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening element beingsecured form being accidentally or otherwise opened.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an opening element beingeasier to grip and maintain a grip for opening an opening system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferredembodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appendeddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an opening system for a container comprising asupport structure without packaging material.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an opening system for a container comprisinga support without packaging material.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of an opening system.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an opening system for a container with improvedsafety aspects.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an opening system for a container with a ringshaped end of the opening system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of producing an opening system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an opening system 10 for a containercomprising a packaging material 1 having an outside and an inside. Theopening system 10 further comprises an injection molded opening element2, wherein the injection molded opening element 2 is attached to theinside of the packaging material 1 at a first point 20, and extends fromthe inside of the packaging material 1 and through to the outside of thepackaging material 1. And, wherein the injection molded opening element2 is attached to the outside of the packaging material 1 at a secondpoint 30 and extends a distance from the second point 30 for opening thecontainer. By having the injection molded opening element 2 attached tothe inside and then extending out through the packaging material 1 andalso being attached to the outside of the packaging material 1, thepackaging material 1 will bear the major part of any force affecting theopening element 2. This makes the opening system 1 more robust againstany faulty opening since any force acting on the opening element 2 willbe transferred into the packaging material 1 instead of the openingelement 2.

In an example, the second point 30 has an area which is chosen accordingto an opening force wanted and/or needed to open the opening system 10.In an example, the area is circular, square, rectangular and/or has anirregular shape. The area of the second point 30 can really have anyshape since it is the amount of injected material at the second point 30and how it is distributed on the outside of the packaging material 1 andattached to it that determines the force needed to tear open the openingsystem 10.

In an example, illustrated in e.g. FIGS. 1 and 3, the first point 20 andthe second point 30 lies on a straight line which creates the openingforce along the same line. In an example the straight line coincideswith a weakest point(s) of a material, e.g. a material comprisingstrands of fibers and the straight line is parallel to the fibers. Inother examples the first 20 and second point 30 are arranged at e.g. 45,90, 135 or 180 degree difference. This allows the opening system 10 tocreate forces in other directions. In other examples, the otherdirections are not coinciding with the weakest point(s) of a materialbut are angled in relation to the weakest point. In an example the angleis chosen such that a desired opening force is achieved based on thecombination of the angle and a structure of the selected packagingmaterial 1. By having this angle in relation to the structure of thepackaging material 1 it is possible to use a single opening system 10 ondifferent materials and achieve a same opening force by simply anglingthe opening system 10.

In an example the injection molding is performed by hydrostatic pressureinjection molding. In an example the material used for injection moldingis a thermoplastic and/or a thermosetting polymer. In an example thematerial used is a plastic.

In an example, the packaging material 1 of is made paper, cardboardand/or plastic. By having the packaging material 1 being made of apaperboard or cardboard the opening system can be used in a recyclablepackage. In other examples, other types of materials are used since thepackaging material 1 used only need to be mechanically weaker than thatof the opening system 10 so that the opening element 2 is capable oftearing, shearing, breaking or otherwise open the packaging material 1.Thus, there need to be a delta in mechanical strength between packingmaterial 1 and the material used for the opening system 10. In anexample the packaging material 1 is laminated 15. In an example thepackaging material 1 is pre-laminated 15, i.e. laminated 15 before theopening system 10 is applied.

In an example, the packaging material 1 comprises a pre-made openingthere through. By having a pre-made opening in the packaging material 1the injection molding process of the opening system 10 is simpler andhave less potential issues since the risk of e.g. any packaging material1 being mixed into the opening element 2 when it penetrates thepackaging material 1 from the inside to the outside is removed. Thismixture could weaken the opening element 2 so that is becomes weakerthan the packaging material 1. Thus, the opening element 2 canpotentially break before the packaging material 1 is opened. If thepackaging material 1 is laminated 15 and comprises the pre-made openingthere through, the laminate 15 will retain its structure and functionand also acts as a seal together with the opening element 2 for anyproduct inside the container. If no laminate is present the pre-madeopening will be filled by the opening element 2.

In an example, illustrated in e.g. FIG. 1, the injection molded openingelement 2 is attached parallel to the outside of the packaging material1 from the second point 30 to where the opening element goes through tothe inside of the packaging material 1. By having the opening element 2being attached and running parallel to the packaging material 1 it willbe even more affixed to the packaging material 1 and even betterwithstand any forces. In an example, the opening element 2 is attachedparallel to the inside of the packaging material 1, illustrated in e.g.FIG. 2. In an example, the opening element 2 runs parallel with and isattached to both the inside and the outside of the packaging material 1.

In an example, the injection molded opening element 2 comprises aprotrusion facing the inside of the packaging material 1 for penetratingthrough the packaging material 1 with. By having the opening element 2comprising the protrusion it will more easily penetrate through thepackaging material 1 with a cleaner cut or tear since the force from theopening element 2 will be initially localized to the protrusion and thuslocally at the packaging material 1. In an example, the protrusion is asharp edge of the opening element 2 and which extends all around theopening element 2 facing the packaging material 1 so that the openingelement 2 initially penetrates all along its circumference when opening.

In an example, illustrated in e.g. FIG. 1, the opening system 10 furthercomprises an opening support 8 which at least partly encompasses theopening element 2. By having the opening support 8 at least partlyencompassing the opening element at the outside of the packagingmaterial 1, the opening support 8 acts as a counter force to the openingelement 2 when being used to open the container, making it even easierto open the opening system 10. The opening support 8 also aids in anytearing of the packaging material 1 so that a cleaner visual appearanceof the opening is created. In an example, the opening support 8 isarranged to encompass the opening element. In an example the openingelement 2 is breakably attached by a connection to the opening support8. By having the support structure 8 being attached to the openingelement 2 the connection between them further strengthens the openingsystem 10 and its robustness. In an example the breakable connection isalso a tamper evidence. In an example, two or more connections connectthe opening element 2 to the opening support 8.

In an example, illustrated in FIG. 4, an end 40 of the extension of theopening element 2 from the second point 30 is attached to the outside ofthe packaging material 1. By having the end 40 of the extension attachedto the packaging material 1 the opening system 10 comprises a tamperevidence. Additionally, the opening element 2 is secured form beingaccidentally or otherwise opened by something getting stuck at the end40. In an example the end 40 is ball shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 4.Other examples of the end 40 such as having a waved surface, being ringshaped, are illustrated in e.g. FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. By having e.g. a wavedsurface at the end 40, the end 40 is easier to grip and maintain a gripfor opening the opening system 10.

In an example, illustrated in FIG. 6, a method of producing an openingsystem 10 for a container comprising providing 510 a packaging material1 having an inside and an outside is disclosed. The method furthercomprises molding 520 an injection molded opening element 2 beingarranged on the inside of the packaging material 1 and on the outside,and extending through packaging material 1. And, attaching 530 themolded opening element 2 to the inside at a first point 20, andattaching 540 the molded opening element 2 to the outside at a secondpoint 30.

In an example, the method further comprises pre-making an openingthrough the packaging material 1. In an example the packaging material 1is laminated following the pre-made opening is made.

In an example, the injection molded opening element 2 is attachedparallel to the outside of the packaging material 1 from the secondpoint 30 to wherein the opening element 2 goes through the packagingmaterial 1.

In an example, the method further comprises molding an opening support 8arranged at the outside of the packaging material 1 and at least partlyencompassing the opening element 2.

In an example, the method further comprises molding an opening support 8arranged at the outside of the packaging material 1 and encompassing theopening element 2.

Although the above description has been made with reference to a foodpackage, it should be readily understood that the general principle ofis applicable to other packages as well. Additionally, the above hasbeen discussed in relation to a packaging material, a pre-laminatedpackaging material and it is apparent for a skilled person that theabove principles would also be valid for packaging material having othertypes of treatments for e.g. secure an oxygen barrier, prevents light orother common material treatments.

Further, the invention has mainly been described with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily understood by a person skilled inthe art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equallypossible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method of producing an opening system for a container, the method comprising: providing a packaging material having an inside surface corresponding to an inside of the container, and an outside surface corresponding to an outside of the container; molding an injection molded opening element, the opening element including: a first connection point configured to be arranged on the inside surface of the packaging material, a second connection point configured to be arranged on the outside surface of the packaging material, and a connector portion configured to extend from the first connection point, through an opening in the packaging material, and to the second connection point; directly attaching the first connection point of the opening element to the inside surface of the packaging material; and directly attaching the second connection point of the opening element to the outside surface of the packaging material.
 11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising: forming the opening in the packaging material; and arranging the connector portion of the opening element to extend through the opening.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the opening element includes: an extension element configured to extend outside of the container in a direction parallel to the packaging material from the second connection point towards the opening in the packaging material, wherein the extension element is configured to remove a seal of the opening in the packaging material.
 13. A method according to claim 10 further comprising: molding an opening support, the opening support configured to be arranged on the outside surface of the packaging material and to encompass the opening element.
 14. A method according to claim 10, further comprising laminating the package material with a laminate.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising: positioning the first connection point on an opposite side of the opening in the packaging material from the second connection point.
 17. A method according to claim 12, further comprising: attaching an end of the extension element to the outside surface of the packaging material.
 18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the extension element extends in a direction, at least in part, towards the first connection point.
 19. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first connection point is spaced apart from the second connection point relative to a longitudinal axis of the extension element.
 20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the opening support extends longitudinally between a first end thereof and a second end thereof, the first end of the opening support situated in proximity to the second connection point of the injection molded opening element and the second end of the opening support situated in proximity to the first connection point of the injection molded opening element.
 21. A method of producing an opening system for a container, the method comprising: providing a packaging material having: an outside surface corresponding to an outside of the container, an inside surface corresponding to an inside of the container, and a container opening extending from the inside surface of the packaging material to the outside surface of the packaging material; molding an injection molded opening element, the opening element including: a first connection point configured to be arranged on the inside surface of the packaging material, a second connection point configured to be arranged on the outside surface of the packaging material, a connector portion configured to extend from the first connection point, through an opening in the packaging material, and to the second connection point, and an extension element configured for removing a closure from the container opening; directly attaching the first connection point of the opening element to the inside surface of the packaging material; directly attaching the second connection point of the opening element to the outside surface of the packaging material; and arranging the extension element outside of the container to extend from the second connection point, wherein the first connection point is spaced apart from the second connection point relative to a longitudinal axis of the extension element.
 22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the extension element extends in a direction, at least in part, towards the first connection point.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the extension element has an end portion that extends in the direction towards the first connection point for a distance outside of the container and spaced apart from the outside surface of the packaging material.
 24. A method according to claim 21, wherein the first connection point is positioned on an opposite side of the container opening from the second connection point.
 25. A method according to claim 21, further comprising: attaching an opening support to the outside surface of the packaging material, the opening support at least partly encompassing the opening element, wherein the opening support extends longitudinally between a first end thereof and a second end thereof, the first end of the opening support situated in proximity to the second connection point of the opening element and the second end of the opening support situated in proximity to the first connection point of the opening element. 